Otis Orchards supermarket reopens
A neighborhood supermarket in Otis Orchards has reopened under new ownership nearly four years after an arson fire destroyed the building.
Kewal Atkar, 47, and his wife Harjinder Atkar, 36, recently moved from California to purchase the store, which they named KH Grocery Market.
The market reopened last week at the former site of Dean’s Thrift Quality Foods. Dean’s Thrift served the neighborhood for 30 years and was operated by Dean Benson and his family.
Benson was leasing the building to Philip Kim, who briefly ran Supermarket Picasso there before a December 2001 blaze gutted the building. Kim was convicted of intentionally setting the fire, and a Spokane Superior Court judge sentenced him to two years in prison.
The new KH Grocery Market is a reminder that a store doesn’t have to be mega to offer a thoughtful mix of necessities and frills.
Shoppers can pick from a full wall of coolers packed with bottles, cans and packs of pop, juice, water, milk and beer. Kids can find frozen treats, and parents who vaporlocked on dinner plans can pick up microwavable meals and add a helping of fresh produce. Aisles are neatly arranged with canned goods, cereals, snacks, cleaning products and even pet foods.
A small section of dollar items includes a variety of odds and ends for cost-conscious shoppers.
Kewal Atkar, who has managed grocery stores and worked in trucking and electrical businesses, said the espresso machine will be up and running, and Craven’s Coffee will be sold by the cup. Cold and hot deli cases will be filled with items cooked daily in a kitchen area formerly used as a sushi bar.
Atkar plans to sell propane and eventually add gas pumps, creating a one-stop convenience store. Neighbors and past customers have stopped in over the last week, he said, adding, “The people are very happy to see this open.”
KH Grocery Market, 21121 E. Wellesley Ave., operates from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.
Liquor store moves
A Spokane Valley liquor store recently moved into a suite at 15735 E. Broadway, near Wal-Mart Supercenter.
The store, formerly by Yoke’s Fresh Market on East Sprague, has doubled its space and expanded selections of single malt scotches, high-end vodkas and liquors, said Manager Bill Wheeler. “We added probably 50 new items over here.”
Store hours are Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The store’s new phone number is 921-2331.
Fly shop come to Valley
A Liberty Lake store specializing in fly fishing supplies, novelties and gear is moving to Spokane Valley.
Silver Bow Fly Shop will reopen at 13210 E. Indiana Ave.
The 15-year-old business has operated in Liberty Lake for two years, after current owner Wayne Williams, CEO of Telect Inc., bought the store and moved it from another location.
Stop to smell the flowers
Appleway Florist and Greenhouse is giving away 2,400 free flowers on Wednesday to celebrate FTD Good Neighbor Day.
People can pick up a dozen flowers after signing promises to distribute 11 of them to old or new friends. Flowers are free, and participants are asked to bring a nonperishable food donation for Spokane Valley Food Bank.
This is the 10th year for the goodwill event, which is held at floral shops throughout the United States and Canada.
Flowers are available after 10 a.m. at Appleway Florist and Greenhouse, 11006 E. Sprague Ave.